KOKANEE SALMON SNAGGING SEASON OPENS NOV. 14 AT HERON LAKE

LOS OJOS, N.M. — Snagging season for kokanee salmon opens at 12:01 a.m. Nov. 14 at Heron Lake, Willow Creek and the Pine River above Navajo Lake. The Department published conflicting opening dates in the 2008-2009 Fishing Rules & Information Booklet. According to state fishing rules, the opening date always is the second Friday in November.

Kokanee snagging season opened Oct. 1 at Navajo Lake, Abiquiu Lake, El Vado Lake, Eagle Nest Lake and the Chama River from El Vado Lake to the west boundary of the Rio Chama Wildlife and Fishing Area. The season ends Dec. 31 in all waters statewide. The bag limit is 12 salmon per day, 24 in possession.

Some waters open later than others for kokanee snagging to give fisheries crews time to harvest and fertilize eggs that will be hatched and raised for future stockings. Kokanee are land-locked sockeye salmon that thrive in New Mexico’s cool lakes. In late fall, mature 4-year-old kokanee form giant schools, spawn and then die.

Because the fish do not feed during the spawn, snagging is allowed to harvest them. Anglers are reminded that only kokanee may be taken by snagging. Any other species caught by snagging must be immediately returned to the water.